Italian Mirko Bortolotti will test for Toro Rosso next month. The 19-year-old, who finished fourth in this year’s Formula Two Championship, is a member of the Red Bull Junior programme and won the 2008 Italian F3 title.
Mirko Bortolotti has driven a Formula 1 car before, when he impressed testing for Ferrari in 2008.
Bortolotti will drive for Toro Rosso on the second day of the test running from December 1-3, with young New Zealander Brendon Hartley expected to be in the car on the other two days. Bortolotti said:
“I’m very happy and very proud. My target is to get to Formula One in the next few years so to be selected for this test is very important for my career.
“Of course, if I can get to F1 even sooner then that will be great, but first I must focus on Jerez.
“There are not many chances for young drivers to test an F1 car due to the regulations so I’m very excited and thankful to Red Bull for giving me this opportunity.
“Every mile counts, particularly with the current testing situation, so I will prepare myself well over the next few weeks and be ready to help the team carry out their programme.”
For the 2009 season, Hartley was appointed as official reserve driver for both the Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso teams, meaning he also has prior experience in an F1 car.
Toro Rosso already have half of their driver line-up sorted with Sebastien Buemi have secured a second consecutive drive, but whether other 2009 driver Jaime Alguersuari will stay with the team is a question unanswered.
Jack Sargeant is the editor-in-chief and designer of An F1 Blog. Follow him on 
